Dance with the (local) Stars!

By Laurie Ann Lepoff

Partner dancing is enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to shows like "Dancing with the Stars" and movies like "Mad Hot Ballroom." That's a good thing because partner dancing is way cool. It's a way to connect to others, to meet people, and it's a lot of fun. I don't say that just because I teach it.

I teach it because I love it, and I love passing that passion on to others. If you think you can't do it because you once took a class and it was way over your head, it may be time to rethink it. I work with a lot of people who think they can't dance, and in over 26 years of teaching I've never had a student who couldn't get it. Group classes are not a good gauge because with a large group the teacher has to teach to the quick studies and lose everyone else, teach to the slow learners and bore everyone else, or find a middle ground and frustrate everyone on either end. Chances are good that the class won't go at the pace that is right for you.

It is also almost impossible to teach the skills of leading and following to a group because it's something you have to feel to get an understanding of it. If you can't afford ongoing private lessons, I recommend starting with one or two private lessons to get an understanding of basic dance connection and then take a group class, or combine private lessons with group classes whenever you feel lost or overwhelmed.

Group classes are a good way to pick up new moves once you already know how to dance, and a good way to meet other beginners for moral support. Private lessons are a good way to hone in on your particular needs and to learn the basic principles of how to dance.

The Bay Area is rich in dance communities. Start with a dance that's relatively easy, with a community you can relate to, and with music you like. For instance, the custom in the Swing, Salsa, and Cajun dance communities is to dance with the crowd, so those are good places for single people to go.

The age range in the Cajun community tends to be largely in the 40s and 50s, whereas the swing community is younger. Those are all things to take into consideration as well as your general feeling for a particular dance. No matter how easy your first dance is, nothing you learn later on will be as difficult as your first lesson, because everything is new and you have nothing to build on.

Once you've honed some basic skills, everything else will be much easier, so don't give up! If learning to dance has been in the back of your mind, this is a great time to take that first step. Have a ball!